David Miller happy to be back in the Proteas mix and ready to play any role Shukri Conrad wants

David Miller has been an ever-present figure in the Proteas’ white-ball middle-order for the best part of 15 years. 

Seldom has the southpaw needed to look over his shoulder at any contenders for his place. This is backed up by the fact that he is the most capped Protea in T20Is, and boasts the enviable record as the second highest run-scorer in the shortest format for the national team. 

Yet, there was a sense of nervousness, not seen since his debut all the way back in 2010, prevalent when Miller addressed the media ahead of the five-match T20I series against India, starting in Cuttack on Tuesday. 

“It has been forever,” Miller said. “I think my last game was a ICC Champions Trophy earlier in the year, so it's been a long time. 

“I literally got here two days ago and I only met the guys yesterday for the first time. I'm looking forward to getting in the mix and just participating in whatever I need to and helping out where I can and contributing where I can as well.”

Much has changed since Miller’s last run out in the green-and-gold at the Champions Trophy. Former Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter has since moved back home to take charge of New Zealand’s Black Caps with Shukri Conrad assuming the reins across all formats. 

Miller has only briefly worked with Conrad before, during the England ODI series mid-way through the inaugural Betway SA20 three seasons ago, and had since seen the Proteas move towards a younger generation of white-ball batters, such as Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann among others. 

The 36-year-old has yet to sit down with Conrad to discuss the road ahead, but believes he still has the ability and temperament to contribute to the Proteas’ cause, especially with the T20 World Cup just a few months away. 

“I've dealt with Shukri very briefly in the past,” he said.

“I haven't had good chats yet with Shukri as yet, but I think now being back in the mix, opening up those kinds of conversations and seeing where we're at. There's a lot of new players that have come through and a big pool of players now that are doing really, really well.

“I feel like I can add a certain part to the team with a lot of experience and bring my expertise. But in terms of selection, you're never guaranteed with certain things in life. 

“It's going to be tough for the selectors to select from in the sense of who they would like to take. But I think we're really in a good space.

"We've got some world-class players all the way through and we're just going to make sure that we're proper switched on every single game. I think it's just a conversation that will kind of unfold as the months go on and see where we're at.”

There has long been a push for Miller to take on more responsibility by moving up the order, but the veteran believes this will become clearer after Conrad defines his role. 

"I think Shuks is open to any conversation. The door's never closed with him. It is something that we're going to chat about as the day goes on here, about batting positions and my role and where he sees me," Miller said.

"Those conversations are going to be today. We'll just see where we're at. As I said, there's been a lot of new roles coming in and players coming in. I think as getting closer to the World Cup, you want to refine things and get into exactly what he would like for the World Cup.

"It'll be interesting to see where that conversation goes. I think I can play.

"I feel like I'm capable to play up the order, middle order, that type of thing. That's how I see myself with the experience that I have," Miller concluded.